We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering
many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part
in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are
true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a
whole food vegan
diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have
found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you
have a health problem, see your own physician.

Millions of people suffer from painful and swollen joints associated
with arthritis. In the past, many doctors told arthritis patients that
dietary changes would not help them. However, this conclusion was based on
older research with diets that included dairy products, oil, poultry, or
meat.[1,2] New
research shows that foods may be a more frequent contributor to arthritis
than is commonly recognized. It is clear that, at least for some people, a
healthier menu is the answer.

Different Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is actually a group of different diseases. Osteoarthritis is
a gradual loss of cartilage and overgrowth of bone in the joints,
especially the knees, hips, spine, and fingertips. Over 20 million
Americans, mostly over age 45, suffer from osteoarthritis, which seems to
be the result of accumulated wear and tear. Although it can cause painful
episodes, it is characterized by only transient stiffness and does not
cause major interference with the use of the hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects over 2 million people, is a more
aggressive form of the disease. It causes painful, inflamed joints, which
sometimes become damaged.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of medicine's mysteries. There were no
medical reports of the disease until the early 1800s. Some have suspected
that a virus or bacterium may play a role, perhaps by setting off an
autoimmune reaction. Genetics may also be a factor, in that it may
influence susceptibility to the disease.

The Role of Diet

For years people have suspected that foods are an important factor in
the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Many notice an improvement in
their condition when they avoid dairy products, citrus fruits, tomatoes,
eggplant and certain other foods.

Initially, the evidence was anecdotal. A woman from the Midwest once
suffered from painful arthritis. Today she is a picture of health, thin
and athletic, and her arthritis is totally gone. It seemed that dairy
products were to blame for her arthritis, for when she eliminated them
from her diet, the arthritis disappeared completely.

Another woman, from Wisconsin, also found that her arthritis was
clearly linked to dairy products. Although she had been raised on a dairy
farm, she learned that staying away from dairy products was the key to
relieving her symptoms.

A 1989 survey of over one thousand arthritis patients revealed that the
foods most commonly believed to worsen the condition were red meat, sugar,
fats, salt, caffeine, and nightshade plants (e.g., tomatoes, eggplant).[3]
Once the offending food is eliminated completely, improvement usually
comes within a few weeks. Dairy foods are one of the principle offenders,
and the problem is the dairy protein, rather than the fat, so skim
products are as much a problem as whole milk.[4]

An increasing volume of research shows that certain dietary changes do
in fact help. For example, polyunsaturated oils and omega-3 supplements
have a mild beneficial effect, and researchers have found that vegan diets
are beneficial.[5] One
2002 study looked at the influence of a very low-fat vegan diet on
subjects with moderate-to-severe RA. After only four weeks on the diet,
almost all measures of RA symptoms decreased significantly.[6]
The journal Rheumatology published a study that found a gluten-free vegan
diet improved the signs and symptoms of RA.[7]
An uncooked vegan diet, rich in antioxidants and fiber was shown in
another study to decrease joint stiffness and pain in patients with RA.[8]
Some research studies have looked at fasting followed by a vegetarian or
vegan diet. A review of multiple research studies concluded that this
dietary treatment might be useful in the treatment of RA.[9]

Vegan diets dramatically reduce the overall amount of fat in the diet,
and alter the composition of fats. This in turn can affect the immune
processes that influence arthritis. The omega-3 fatty acids in vegetables
may be a key factor, along with the near absence of saturated fat. The
fact that patients also lose weight on a vegan diet contributes to the
improvement.

In addition, vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which can neutralize
free radicals. Oxygen free radicals attack many parts of the body and
contribute to heart disease and cancer, and intensify the aging processes
generally, including of the joints.

Iron acts as a catalyst, encouraging the production of these dangerous
molecules. Vitamins C and E, which are plentiful in a diet made of
vegetables and grains, help neutralize free radicals. Meats supply an
overload of iron, no vitamin C, and very little vitamin E, whereas
vegetables contain more controlled amounts of iron, and generous
quantities of antioxidant vitamins.

As well as being helpful in preventing arthritis, antioxidants may also
have a role in reducing its symptoms. Some arthritis treatments, including
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, work at least in part by
neutralizing free radicals. For the most part, however, vitamins and other
antioxidants will be of more use in preventing damage before it occurs,
rather than in treating an inflamed joint.[10]

A diet drawn from fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans therefore
appears to be helpful in preventing and, in come cases, ameliorating
arthritis.

Water: plain water or carbonated forms, such as Perrier, are fine.
Other beverages – even herbal teas – can be triggers.

Condiments: modest amounts of salt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract
are usually well-tolerated.

After four weeks, if your symptoms have improved or disappeared, the
next step is to nail down which one or more of the trigger foods has been
causing your problem. Simply reintroduce the foods you have eliminated
back into your diet one at a time, every two days.

Have a generous amount of each newly reintroduced food, and see whether
your joints flare up again. If so, eliminate the food that seems to have
caused the problem, and let your joints cool down again. Then continue to
reintroduce the other foods. Wait at least two weeks before trying a
problem food a second time. Many people have more than one food trigger.

It is not recommended to bring meats, dairy products, or eggs back into
your diet. Not only are they major triggers, but they also encourage
hormone imbalances that may contribute to joint pain, and also lead to
many other health problems.

For some arthritis patients, supplements of certain essential fatty
acids have been helpful. They should be thought of as a medicine, rather
than a food. A typical regimen would include a tablespoon of flaxseed oil
with 500 mg of blackcurrant oil (or three capsules of evening primrose
oil) twice each day. If it is helpful, it should be reduced to the lowest
effective dose. Some people also benefit from an herb called feverfew,
taken two to three times per day. (Caution: Do not take feverfew if you
are pregnant.)

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